BUILDERS have been forced to down tools after campaigners won a victory in their battle to save their local pub.

The Horse and Groom in Islingword Road, Brighton, has been granted asset of community value (ACV) status – only the third pub in the city to be given the listing.

Campaigners hope they have timed their bid to perfection with new ACV powers now giving greater protection for pubs against a change of use. But applicants looking to convert the distinctive green-tiled pub into offices have instantly appealed the award by Brighton and Hove City Council officers.

Campaigners hope to follow in the footsteps of fellow community group The Rose Hill Tavern Action Group, who successfully fought to uphold their ACV status last month and now have the opportunity to bid for the pub now it has gone back on the market.

Property investor Craig Dwyer-Smith’s agent Stephen Culverhouse, who also worked on the appeal against the nearby Rose Hill Tavern, told The Argus that he had requested a review of the Horse and Groom’s ACV status last week. That review must be completed within eight weeks.

An application for a lawful development certificate permitting the change of use of the pub, which closed at the end of February, was submitted to the council last month.

Mr Culverhouse said that his client would also consider taking the decision to a first tier tribunal if the council did not uphold their appeal – a process which could take months to resolve.

He said: “My client acted perfectly legally as the change of use was carried out before it was listed as an ACV.

“We are hoping for a change of use to offices for personal use, as opposed to secretaries and all that, a service that can be used by the community, that can be used by the public.

“My client is looking to restore the building, we have already spoken to heritage officers about that in terms of the windows and the green tiles.”

Campaigner Ronnie Daye said: “A pat on the back is deserved for all those people involved with securing the ACV, it was great teamwork and is only the third issued in Brighton.

“The ACV has more bite as laws changed literally the day before being registered putting more restrictions on change of use.”